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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 HXYVY+SHGJEM2YAPT85/z8RaLkmH1WPJ3kTF5PL3IHaG+Q4LCbouV76bSSIQsRJO
 Bl7ahJH4DHgEBt7IFweZ+Q==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001209191-04-010076.txt : 20040213
<SEC-HEADER>0001209191-04-010076.hdr.sgml : 20040213
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040213204436
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001209191-04-010076
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	5
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20031231
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040213

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			SALERNO TOM
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001181782

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		5
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-31320
		FILM NUMBER:		04601934

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		105 WESTWOOD PLACE SUITE 400
		CITY:			BRENTWOOD
		STATE:			TN
		ZIP:			37027

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		105 WESTWOOD PLACE STE 400
		CITY:			BRENTWOOD
		STATE:			TN
		ZIP:			37027

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			PROVINCE HEALTHCARE CO
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001044942
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	SERVICES-GENERAL MEDICAL & SURGICAL HOSPITALS, NEC [8062]
		IRS NUMBER:				621710772
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		105 WESTPARK DR
		STREET 2:		STE 400
		CITY:			BRENTWOOD
		STATE:			TN
		ZIP:			37027
		BUSINESS PHONE:		6153701377

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		105 WESTPARK DR
		STREET 2:		SUITE 180
		CITY:			BRENTWOOD
		STATE:			TN
		ZIP:			37207
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>5
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>bna87013_bna03salerno.xml
<DESCRIPTION>MAIN DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>5</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2003-12-31</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <form3HoldingsReported>0</form3HoldingsReported>

    <form4TransactionsReported>0</form4TransactionsReported>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001044942</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>PROVINCE HEALTHCARE CO</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>PRV</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001181782</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>SALERNO TOM</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>105 WESTWOOD PLACE STE 400</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>BRENTWOOD</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>TN</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>37027</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Regional VP, Western Div.</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionCoding></transactionCoding>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>2574</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">End of period holdings have been updated to include 2,574 shares of Common Stock acquired under the 1997 Employee Stock Purchase Plan.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Thomas A. Salerno</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-02-13</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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